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Diakonia Is Transformative, Says WCC Moderator

June 4, 2012 – "Diakonia is an alternative form of power which consists precisely in serving. If we transfer this insight into the social and political realm, the question is then to what extent structures of power can be permeated by the spirit of service," said Dr Walter Altmann, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee. Altmann was delivering a keynote address at a WCC conference on "The Theology of Diakonia for the 21st Century" in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 2 June 2012. Diakonia is a Greek term used in the New Testament to describe ministries of service, mission and support. It is the source of the English words "deacon" and "diaconal." While underlining the biblical imperative "It shall not be so among you," Altmann went on to emphasize the importance of new forms and understanding of partnerships in diakonia.

Church Campaigners Rally for a Strong Arms Trade Treaty

June 4, 2012 – With one month until governments negotiate the first global arms trade treaty, churches from countries most affected by unregulated trade in arms gathered from 29-31 May in Cape Town, South Africa, to make final advocacy plans. The World Council of Churches (WCC) convened the meeting of African and other churches in an ecumenical campaign, building support for a strong and effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) over the past year. The meeting in Cape Town was hosted by the Economic Justice Network of Southern Africa in collaboration with the South African Council of Churches. The event brought together church leadership and advocacy staff from faith-based organizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, South America and North America. "From conflict zones to gang violence, from guns used in instances of rape and sexual violence to arms deals that fuel conflict and tear communities apart, a strong and effective ATT would stop arms shipments from going to places where it is clear that people would abuse them," said Daniel Pieper, ATT campaign manager and research associate for the WCC's United Nations liaison office.

General News

Paul's Pitch

June 6, 2012 – The affluent Corinthians glanced at each other knowingly. They had heard this pitch many times before. As Paul's latest letter was being read in worship they rolled their eyes. "Here we go again," they thought. "Well, if the Macedonians are doing their part, I guess we should do ours." Then Paul's words shocked them: "For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich" (2 Cor. 8:9). The Corinthians were stunned. Paul was saying that the motivation for giving to help others was not simply about doing one's duty, or keeping up with fellow parishioners, or hoping to have the favor returned. No, this pitch was an opportunity to do something extraordinary-to become a participant in Christ's ongoing saving work, and at the same time recognize one's own poverty in the midst of God's abundant grace. The wealthy, broken body of believers in Corinth desperately needed what Paul had offered them: a countercultural chance to take their eyes off themselves and behold the needs of others, magnified and clarified through the cross of Jesus Christ; an opportunity to give.

ELCA Experiencing Growth in the Number of Long-term Mission Personnel

June 6, 2012, CHICAGO – The Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth, her husband, Jon, and their two children will soon call Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, home for the next four years. Tessa is among 15 new missionaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) beginning service in July. The ELCA is one of the few mainline denominations that fully support its long-term mission personnel. Every year 225 ELCA mission personnel serve in more than 40 countries, working hand-in-hand with global neighbors teaching, preaching, healing, peacemaking, building and growing communities. Of the 225, some are self-funded volunteers and others are serving a two-year commitment. As the Leiseth family eagerly await their new journey, they acknowledge that it will be hard to leave family and friends, particularly their home in Moorhead, Minn. "There is a mixture of grief, fear and anxiety," said Tessa Leiseth. "We are leaving our safety net: what we know, things to which we are accustomed, and things that make us feel comfortable."

WCC and Implenia Partner to Develop WCC's Property

June 7, 2012 – The World Council of Churches (WCC) signed a contract with Implenia for the development of its plot in Grand-Saconnex (Geneva), including a new Ecumenical Centre. The development of the site's 34,000 square meters will take place in several phases over the next five to ten years. The process starts with a technical evaluation of the existing buildings followed by an architectural competition. The appointment of a winner is expected by mid-2013. The beginning of the construction work for the buildings comprising 50,000 to 60,000 square meters of floor space is planned for 2016/2017. "We are looking forward to a fruitful partnership with Implenia who will support us over the whole process with its vast experience and know-how in the development of complex large-scale and sustainable urban projects. For the WCC, the project will offer new perspectives both for our role in international Geneva and for the furtherance of our programmes and activities," said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, the WCC general secretary. In accordance with the Master Plan Area of Geneva's "Jardin des Nations," WCC and Implenia intend to maintain the natural character of the site by providing buildings of high environmental quality and by securing belted green spaces and promenades. "As the land owner, it is our obligation to meet a high level of sustainability by using scarce resources wisely and continuing to create value and exercise responsible stewardship for future generations," says Tveit.

Conferences Voice Support for Gays

June 5, 2012 – Promises of support and prayers for healing for gays, lesbians, transgender and bisexual people are coming from bishops, pastors and laity as The United Methodist Church begins annual (regional) conferences around the globe. At the Iowa Conference June 2-5, two documents with hundreds of signatures expressed compassion for gays. More than 500 signed a "Do No Harm" covenant stating the denomination's top lawmaking body made decisions that violated John Wesley's first General Rule by failing to acknowledge that members of The United Methodist Church are divided on homosexuality. The covenant states, "When following the Book of Discipline requires us to do harm by discriminating against, diminishing, or demeaning our sisters and brothers in the family of faith, we are in an impossible situation and will be faithful to the law as interpreted by Jesus rather than comply with the Book of Discipline."

Spanish News

Llama Iglesia Católica a Hacer Uso Eficiente De Los Medios De Comunicación

4 junio 2012, SANTO DOMINGO – La necesidad de hacer un uso eficiente de los medios de comunicación y, dentro de ellos, de la Internet en la tarea de evangelizar, fue uno de los planteamientos del finalizado Segundo Encuentro Nacional de Comunicadores, celebrado aquí este fin de semana que concluye. El director de comunicaciones y prensa de la arquidiócesis de Santo Domingo, monseñor Ramón Benito Ángeles, expresó durante el encuentro, que agrupó a un considerable número de líderes y feligreses que se desempeñan esta labor en sus respectivas parroquias, que se está ante grandes desafíos en lo relacionado a la evangelización en el complejo mundo de hoy, de manera que han de buscarse estrategias que permitan llegar hasta el más intrincado rincón de este planeta.

Conferencia Sobre Parábolas Y Milagros Causa Expectativa Entre Pastores

8 junio 2012, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Una conferencia sobre parábolas y milagros, dictada por el especialista en el tema Daniel Andre Gloon, de origen suizo y profesor en la Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana, con sede en Costa Rica, despertó gran expectativa aquí entre pastores que asistieron a la misma. "Para comprender o interpretar los milagros y las parábolas en la Biblia, es necesario ubicarse en el contexto literario de la época y conocer la cultura de un pueblo," explicó el especialista en su conferencia magistral destinada a unos 45 pastores y pastoras de la ciudad de Jinotepe, departamento de Carazo, a 45 kilómetros al sur de esta capital.

Discípulos De Cristo Llaman a La Paz Y El Diálogo En Tiempo De Elecciones

8 junio 2012, CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – El fanatismo y la intolerancia en tiempos eleccionarios, han dañado las relaciones entre familias, comunidades y pueblos. Y no solo eso ha dañado la relación de hermanos en la Iglesia, dice el pastor Josué Martínez Cisneros, Presidente de la Confraternidad de Iglesias Cristianas Evangélicas Discípulos de Cristo de México (CICE). "En cada época de elecciones la pasión por los colores de algún partido llega a tal punto en que satanizamos o condenamos a quienes no se interesen o estén de acuerdo con nuestros ideales o elección.

Iglesia Luterana Celebra Hermandad Con Homóloga Alemana

8 junio 2012, SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica – Una celebración por sus 10 años de hermandad con la Iglesia Luterana de Aschaffenburg, Alemania, viene conmemorando, este mes, su homóloga costarricense, lo cual ha venido fomentando un intercambio activo de experiencias pastorales, juveniles y dentro de un amplio espectro de proyectos que buscan la cercanía entre cristianos de realidades tan diferentes y distantes. Razón por la cual la Iglesia Luterana Costarricense (ILCO) recibió la visita de una delegación de la congregación de Aschaffenburg, con la cual mantiene una relación de hermandad y cooperación que pretenderá fortalecerse, aún más, con una celebración conjunta en el Domingo de la Trinidad, la firma de un acuerdo y la inauguración de un grupo de paneles solares en las oficinas centrales de esta entidad.

Iglesias Evangélicas Respaldan Marchas Por La Protección Del Medio Ambiente

6 junio 2012, MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Iglesias evangélicas y el Comité Pastoral del Consejo de Iglesias Pro-Alianza Denominacional (CEPAD), apoyaron ayer diversas acciones ocurridas en el país en torno al Día Mundial del Medioambiente, a fin de que se tome conciencia en torno al cuidado de las reservas naturales como parte de la Creación de Dios. Así, universitarios, profesores y ciudadanos que marcharon ayer, en la ciudad universitaria de León (a 90 kilómetros de esta capital), con el fin de que la población tome conciencia de cuidar las reservas forestales y reciclar la basura que se ha convertido en un serio problema en los 153 municipios del país.

Human Rights News

Churches Ask Philippine Government to Improve Human Rights Record

June 4, 2012 – In a public hearing at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, church activists from the Philippines criticized the Aquino government for not being able to improve the situation regarding human rights violations, citing an increased number of victims of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, as well as evictions in the country. The public hearing was organized by the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the World Council of Churches on 30 May, in collaboration with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and the Philippine Universal Periodic Review Watch (UPR Watch). The public hearing focused on the theme, "Human rights record of the Philippine government: Telling it as it is!" The members of UPR Watch, representing a coalition of non governmental organizations in the Philippines, were in Geneva to share their concerns about human rights violations at the United Nations Human Rights Council's 13th session of the Universal Periodic Review process.

Religious Liberty News

Falls Church Anglicans Appeal to State Supreme Court

June 6, 2012 – The last of seven breakaway congregations that had legal disputes with the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church has sought permission to appeal a judge's order that it return control of certain church property to the diocese. The Falls Church Anglican Church, as the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) congregation is known, filed its appeal petition June 1. It is contesting Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Randy I. Bellows' March 1 order that it return to the diocese the parish's real property, approximately $2.8 million contributed by its members prior to 2007, and most of its tangible personal property such as bibles, hymnals and furniture. Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli also on June 1 filed a brief in support of the church's request for review of the trial court's treatment of donations. Cuccinelli says in the brief that he was entering the case "to protect the public interest in honoring the wishes of donors to charitable institutions."

Religious Liberty, the Church and the Pill

June 4, 2012 – The debate over birth-control insurance coverage has traveled from the presidential campaign trail to the church pews. And now it's heading to the courts. The Obama administration mandate that employers provide workers with contraception coverage is not a United Methodist issue per se. But church members often speak up when issues of religious liberty enter the national conversation. For many, the debate boils down to this: Does the mandate violate religious freedom, or is it expanding access to an important aspect of women's health care?

International News

Mix it up in Haiti

June 6, 2012 – Where do English, Creole, French, and concrete mix? At the Church of the Brethren's young adult workcamp in Haiti, of course. This unique workcamp took place last month, and one of the projects for the week was to build a stairwell at a school. When the workcampers arrived they met another group of young adults who was also there to serve: teachers and friends of the school. Together, these peers from different cultures formed one team and diligently worked side by side to complete their task. The concrete was mixed by hand, and the wood was cut with rickety saws. "Most of us hadn't been exposed to that kind of construction before, so the Haitians had to teach us a lot," said Cat Gong, 2012 workcamp co-coordinator. "They also helped us practice our Creole. It was quite a learning experience."

Freedom to Choose Food During Shortages
LWF Supports Cash Transfer Project for Drought-Affected Families in Mauritania

June 7, 2012, NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania/GENEVA – The figures speak for themselves. And so does the life of Beneitou Mint Bousnaval, 26, and mother of four. The family of nine, including her husband's parents and his brother, live in Arafat, a department in the outskirts of the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott. Their tent is robust; the floor covered with a red carpet, in the corner, a small gas burner. This is where all of them stay, eat and sleep. Bousnaval says they have nothing else, only the clothes they wear. The family barely eats one daily meal. She describes the situation as desperate. Her husband is unemployed but leaves home early every morning to try and find a job. In a good month, he manages to find work for ten days. There is no money left for lunch for the two older boys, none to buy clothes.

Scottish Episcopal Church Votes Against Adopting Anglican Covenant

June 8, 2012 – The General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church on June 8 voted against the adoption of the Anglican Covenant, a document which supporters say offers a way to bind Anglicans globally across cultural and theological differences. The Scottish synod was asked to vote on a motion to agree in principle to adopting the Anglican Covenant. The motion was voted down by 112 to 6 votes, with 13 abstentions. "Our decision not to adopt the Anglican Covenant is not a decision to reject the Anglican Communion," the Most Rev. David Chillingworth, primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, told synod following the vote. "Nor are we indifferent to deeply held differences of view which are held across the Communion," he added. "For those differences are also present in this church and they are part of our daily life and relationships. We hold a range of views. They are expressed with integrity, listened to with care and we are committed to living creatively with our diversity."